by David Weber
Part of Safehold, book 4
First published 2010
Emperor Cayleb Ahrmahk stands at the pinnacle of success. Before turning thirty, he has delivered devastating naval defeats to his enemies and united five princedoms under his rule. He has married Queen Sharleyan of Chisholm, creating the Charisian Empire and transforming Charis into a sanctuary for those who value liberty. But the Church of God Awaiting, which dominates most of Safehold, has declared war on everything Charis represents. After their first assault failed, the Church now builds a massive fleet using the very innovations they once condemned. They plan to obliterate Cayleb's empire completely. Yet the Church remains ignorant of crucial secrets. Cayleb's closest advisor Merlin Athrawes appears to be a warrior monk, but he is actually the cybernetic form of Nimue Alban, a woman who died a millennium ago. Merlin witnessed the Terran Federation's destruction and knows that Safehold harbors humanity's last survivors. The Church's enforced stagnation will doom the human race if it continues. As the Church's war machine advances toward Charis, Merlin and a small group of remarkable allies prepare to make their stand.
Genres: science-fiction, military-fiction, space-opera, action, epic-fantasy, alternate-history
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Charis, Safehold, Charisian Empire
Period: Millennium
718 pages · Hardcover · Tor Books